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A rare title from the Civil War, shortly after Lincoln's assassination...



Item # 697404

April 26, 1865

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, April 26, 1865 

* Very rare Civil War era publication
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
* re Abraham Lincoln assassination


W. G. Brownlow, or  Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread his fervently held views on the inferiority of blacks & his unalterable opposition to secession. In 1861 Brownlow’s criticism of the Confederacy led the government to shut down his newspapers for 2 years. In December, 1861, Brownlow was arrested on a charge of high treason against the Confederacy. He spent much of 1862 touring the North giving pro-Union lectures & when he returned to Knoxville in 1863 the federal government provided him with a press, some type, $1500, & a government printing contract (credit Wikipedia).
His first issue under the title noted was dated Nov. 11, 1863 but after just 2 issues it would be suspended until January 9, 1864, and then it would only last until February, 1866. Note that at the time of this printing Brownlow was also governor of Tennessee.
Among the many fascinating articles, from shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, are various items concerning the closing moments of the Civil War, plus; "Abraham Lincoln" which includes bits such as: "The death of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in the full vigor of his physical & mental facilities, by the hands of an assassin, is a bereavement that extends to all parts of the nation..." and further on: "He was, as President, a model. The honors he coveted were honorable With a wise & lofty patriotism...Abraham Lincoln's originality of manners, his humor, wit, sarcasm, and wondrous powers of ridicule were weapons particularly his own...Add to these qualities courage, will, and indomitable persistency of purpose..." with more.
Also on page 2 is: "Funeral Obsequies of Mr. Lincoln at Nashville---Houses all Draped in Mourning---Great Turn Out of the People---Speech of Governor Brownlow". Also included is the: "Proclamation Regarding Deserters - By the President of the United States" signed in type by: Abraham Lincoln, dated March 10, 1865.
Complete in 4 pages, all columns on page 3 are black-bordered, rejoined & a bit irregular at the spine, several archival mends at the spine as well, light damp staining near the top.

Category: Yankee